Fire at South Carolina nuclear lab triggers emergency, one worker injured A fire at the Savannah River National Laboratory in South Carolina prompted a Site Area Emergency, injuring one employee. The emergency was terminated after the fire was extinguished and no radiological contamination was found. A fire broke out at the Savannah River National Laboratory in South Carolina on Wednesday, prompting officials to declare a Site Area Emergency. One employee was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The emergency was declared at 5:39 p.m. and terminated at 9:45 p.m. after the fire was extinguished. Radiological surveys found no detectable levels of contamination, according to an updated notice from the Savannah River Site (SRS). A spokesperson said no radiological contamination has been reported. All protective actions were lifted, and site barricades have reopened.Emergency Response Activities Triggered By FireThe fire triggered emergency response activities at the site near Aiken, South Carolina. Crews extinguished the fire roughly two hours after it was reported. As a precaution, barricades at site entrances were closed to incoming traffic, and rail, river, and air traffic near the SRS vicinity were placed under restriction. Employees in affected areas who were not involved in emergency response or shutdown operations were directed to shelter in place.Oncoming shift workers were instructed to report as usual, while all other employees were told to return to work as scheduled on Thursday, Oct. 29. Shift workers who had sheltered in place were also allowed to return to work as usual. Highway 125 remained open following the incident, and traffic at site entrances resumed after officials temporarily barricaded them as a precaution. SRS officials continued directing response efforts and notified appropriate state and local government agencies.Savannah River Site Nuclear Materials ManagementLocal residents were advised to monitor local radio and television stations for updates and instructions from state officials. The Savannah River Site manages nuclear materials and radioactive waste, with cleanup operations aimed at protecting the surrounding environment, according to the Department of Energy. The installation is a key part of the U.S. military's strategic deterrence mission."While serving as one of the nation's most critical pieces in the weapons complex, the site is also one of the safest major industrial sites in the world," the SRS website states. "Ensuring national security, protecting workers, the public, and the environment, are our highest goals. " The facility was constructed in the 1950s, when five reactors were built to produce materials used in nuclear weapons, primarily tritium and plutonium-239.Several support facilities were also built, including two chemical separation plants. An SRS notification update stated: "There are currently no operational emergencies or scheduled delays for the Savannah River Site." The site declared the emergency at 5:39 p.m. Wednesday and terminated it at 9:45 p.m. after the fire was out and surveys confirmed no contamination.